Shokz has introduced two new open-ear wireless earbuds, the OpenDots 2 and OpenDots Air, as the company broadens its focus beyond sports listening. Both models use a clip-on design that sits around the ear rather than sealing the ear canal, allowing users to continue hearing ambient sound while listening to music or taking calls.
The approach is different from conventional in-ear earbuds, which rely on silicone tips to create a seal. Shokz has traditionally been associated with runners, cyclists and other active users who want awareness of their surroundings. With the OpenDots 2 and OpenDots Air, the brand is positioning the same basic form factor for routine listening, including music playback and calls during the day.
“Open-ear clip-on earbuds are redefining how people experience everyday audio,”
Vincent Xiong, CEO of Shokz North America, said this while announcing the new products.
OpenDots 2 brings the larger feature set
The OpenDots 2 is the higher-positioned model in the pair. It uses Shokz’s Bassphere 2.0 acoustic system, built around two custom 11.8 mm drivers. Shokz said the arrangement is intended to produce output comparable with a single 16 mm driver, while improving bass response, loudness and clarity in the compact clip-on structure.
The earbuds also use MirrorPitch, a technology designed to direct sound towards the listener’s ears. Dolby Audio processing is included to create a wider soundstage and improve vocal detail. These features are intended to address a central challenge of open-ear products: delivering fuller sound without placing a traditional speaker inside the ear canal.
As with other open-ear designs, the benefits and trade-offs are linked to the same physical layout. Keeping the ear canal open can make it easier to remain aware of nearby activity, which may be useful for commuters and people working in shared spaces. However, the listening experience depends on directing sound accurately towards the ear, rather than relying on the isolation created by an in-ear seal.
Call features and battery claims
For calls, the OpenDots 2 combines a bone-conduction microphone with two air-conduction microphones. Shokz has also added AI-powered noise reduction, with the aim of improving voice clarity in everyday conversations. The combination is designed to capture both vibrations from the speaker’s voice and airborne sound, although the company’s announcement does not provide independent call-quality measurements.
Shokz claims up to 10 hours of listening on one charge. The charging case is rated to provide up to 40 hours in total. Wireless charging is also listed among the features of the OpenDots 2. These are manufacturer figures and actual endurance can vary according to volume, call usage and other settings.
- OpenDots 2: clip-on open-ear design with Bassphere 2.0 and two 11.8 mm drivers
- Audio features: MirrorPitch and Dolby Audio processing
- Calls: bone-conduction microphone, two air-conduction microphones and AI noise reduction
- Battery claim: up to 10 hours from the earbuds and up to 40 hours with the case
OpenDots Air targets a lighter everyday design
The OpenDots Air follows the same unobstructed, clip-on concept but takes a different approach. Shokz describes it as a lightweight and style-conscious option for everyday listening, while the OpenDots 2 is positioned as the more advanced model with the fuller acoustic system and call-focused hardware.
For Indian users, the open-ear format could be relevant in situations where awareness of surrounding sounds matters, such as walking, commuting or working around other people. Unlike a conventional sealed earbud, the design is intended to let environmental sound remain part of the listening experience. That does not make it a substitute for hearing protection or guarantee awareness in every environment, but it gives the category a different use case from noise-isolating earbuds.
Shokz’s latest products show how open-ear audio is moving beyond a niche associated mainly with exercise. The OpenDots 2 adds more sophisticated acoustic and call hardware to the clip-on format, while the OpenDots Air is aimed at users who prioritise a smaller, lighter design. The announcement does not include an India price or local availability detail.
